• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.17-21
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• 2014

Purpose With the recent rise of social issue regarding radiation exposure, attention to medical radiation use has been placed under a great spotlight. During PET-CT examination, generally about 40% more of $^{18}F$-FDG is used than EANM recommendation. While maintaining the diagnostic test result, we hope to find optimal injection dose to minimize the $^{18}F$-FDG in patients by utilizing the latest PET-CT scanner which is equiped with the newest technology. Materials and Methods During this experiment, the Biograph Truepoint 40 (siemens, USA) installed in 2007 and mCT 64 (siemens, USA) installed in 2011 were used and evaluated NECR (noise-equivalent counting rate) by using a scatter phantom. For the image quality evaluation of each scanner, we injected 3.7, 4.44 and 5.18 MBq/kg of $^{18}F$-FDG in NEMA IEC Body Phantom and also evaluated SNR between two scanners by using the data acquired at 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110 and 120 sec per bed. For the clinical evaluation, actual data of patients who were injected $^{18}F$-FDG 3.7, 4.44, 5.18 MBq/kg were used to compare SNR and draw a final result. Results As a result, mCT 64 peak NECR value was 1.65e+005, which is 10% higher than Turepoint 40. SNR values using the IEC body phantom was 17.9%, 17.4% and 17.1% higher in $^{18}F$-FDG 3.7 MBq/kg, 4.44 MBq/kg and 5.18 MBq/kg. In clinical patients, SNR values of the image mCT 64 was 16.5, which is 25% higher than Turepoint 40 scanner. Conclusion To draw a conclusion from the test result of this experiment, the same quality of SNR could be attained even with 10% reduced injection dose, if when the duration is extended by 10 sec/bed. This optimal result was possible due to enhanced equipment. The NECR (one of the equipment's performance assessment criteria for the scanner) increased by 10% and the SNR (one of the image quality assessment criteria) also increased by 17.5%. Therefore, we can expect to reduce the injection dose without deterioration of image quality. In consequence, it will also help to decrease the patient's anxiety of the radiation exposure.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.207-216
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• 2006

Vaginal cytology was examined in 12 Shih-tzu bitches to establish the accurate basic data for estimate to the optimal mating time and ovulation time. The mean duration of proestrus and estrus were $9.09{\pm}0.83\;(mean{\pm}SD)$ days and $7.36{\pm}0.47$ days in pregnant bitches. The gestational length in the 12 pregnant bitches was $65.2{\pm}0.5$ days in pregnant bitches when Day 0 was timed from the first day of male acceptance. Characteristic features of vaginal cytology during the estrous cycle were the high proportion of large intermediate cell, superficial cell, anuclear cell and erythrocyte in proestrus, superficial cell, anuclear cell and erythrocyte in estrus, and parabasal cell, small and large intermediate cell and leukocyte in diestrus, respectively. Cornification index (CI) was the high proportion in proestrus and estrus, then it decreased in diestrus and anestrus. When Day 0 was timed from the day of the first male acceptance, the CI peak was Day 2 and maintained above 80% between Day -4 and Day 6 during 11 days, and above 90% between Day -1 and Day 5 during 7 days. In relationship between CI and reproductive hormones, CI showed peak at the first day after plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ concentration peak and plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0 ng/ml at Day 0 which was the first day after CI peak. In conclusion, ovulation in Shih-tzu bitches occurred at the first day after CI peak. Vaginal cytology is the simple and reliable method for estimating estrous cycle, optimal breeding time and ovulation time in Shih-tzu bitches.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.71-78
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• 2024

Among the various environmental conditions necessary for growing crops, light is closely related to the anthesis. This study aimed to determine the optimal photoperiod affecting floral differentiation in an edible flower, marigold, to efficiently cultivate the crops in a closed-type plant factory. The experiment was conducted with photoperiods of 4, 8, 12, and 16 hours. French marigold (Tagetes patula L.) 'Durango Red' seeds were sown in polyurethane sponges, and the photoperiod treatments were applied immediately. The extent of floral differentiation was examined at 2-3 day intervals, defined as the visible appearance of flower buds at least 2 mm in size. The growth parameters such as shoot fresh weight and dry weight, height, and leaf area were measured. The optimal photoperiod was determined based on the days when the floral differentiation had occurred in 50% of the total plants. In the 4-hour treatment, proper growth and flower buds did not appear. From the 8-hour treatment, the plant grew normally, and floral differentiation occurred, however, the 8-hour treatment showed the slowest floral differentiation compared to the 12 hours treatments or more. The 12- and 16-hour treatments didn't show significant differences in floral differentiation. While the 16-hour treatment exhibited the highest results in all growth parameters, it was not significantly different from the 12-hour treatment except for shoot dry weight and leaf area. According to the results, 8 hours of photoperiod induced floral differentiation. However, more time was required for flower bud formation, and plant growth was significantly lower compared to photoperiods of 12 hours or more. Considering the energy consumption and its growth, the optimal photoperiod for marigold was 12 hours.

• Asia Marketing Journal
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.157-176
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• 2012

Brand switching data frequently used in market structure analysis is adequate to analyze non- durable goods, because it can capture competition between specific two brands. But brand switching data sometimes can not be used to analyze goods like automobiles having long term duration because one of main assumptions that consumer preference toward brand attributes is not changed against time can be violated. Therefore a new type of data which can precisely capture competition among durable goods is needed. Another problem of using brand switching data collected from actual purchase behavior is short of explanation why consumers consider different set of brands. Considering above problems, main purpose of this study is to analyze market structure for durable goods with consideration set. The author uses exploratory approach and latent class clustering to identify market structure based on heterogeneous consideration set among consumers. Then the relationship between some factors and consideration set formation is analyzed. Some benefits and two demographic variables - age and income - are selected as factors based on consumer behavior theory. The author analyzed USA automotive market with top 11 brands using exploratory approach and latent class clustering. 2,500 respondents are randomly selected from the total sample and used for analysis. Six models concerning market structure are established to test. Model 1 means non-structured market and model 6 means market structure composed of six sub-markets. It is exploratory approach because any hypothetical market structure is not defined. The result showed that model 1 is insufficient to fit data. It implies that USA automotive market is a structured market. Model 3 with three market structures is significant and identified as the optimal market structure in USA automotive market. Three sub markets are named as USA brands, Asian Brands, and European Brands. And it implies that country of origin effect may exist in USA automotive market. Comparison between modal classification by derived market structures and probabilistic classification by research model was conducted to test how model 3 can correctly classify respondents. The model classify 97% of respondents exactly. The result of this study is different from those of previous research. Previous research used confirmatory approach. Car type and price were chosen as criteria for market structuring and car type-price structure was revealed as the optimal structure for USA automotive market. But this research used exploratory approach without hypothetical market structures. It is not concluded yet which approach is superior. For confirmatory approach, hypothetical market structures should be established exhaustively, because the optimal market structure is selected among hypothetical structures. On the other hand, exploratory approach has a potential problem that validity for derived optimal market structure is somewhat difficult to verify. There also exist market boundary difference between this research and previous research. While previous research analyzed seven car brands, this research analyzed eleven car brands. Both researches seemed to represent entire car market, because cumulative market shares for analyzed brands exceeds 50%. But market boundary difference might affect the different results. Though both researches showed different results, it is obvious that country of origin effect among brands should be considered as important criteria to analyze USA automotive market structure. This research tried to explain heterogeneity of consideration sets among consumers using benefits and two demographic factors, sex and income. Benefit works as a key variable for consumer decision process, and also works as an important criterion in market segmentation. Three factors - trust/safety, image/fun to drive, and economy - are identified among nine benefit related measure. Then the relationship between market structures and independent variables is analyzed using multinomial regression. Independent variables are three benefit factors and two demographic factors. The result showed that all independent variables can be used to explain why there exist different market structures in USA automotive market. For example, a male consumer who perceives all benefits important and has lower income tends to consider domestic brands more than European brands. And the result also showed benefits, sex, and income have an effect to consideration set formation. Though it is generally perceived that a consumer who has higher income is likely to purchase a high priced car, it is notable that American consumers perceived benefits of domestic brands much positive regardless of income. Male consumers especially showed higher loyalty for domestic brands. Managerial implications of this research are as follow. Though implication may be confined to the USA automotive market, the effect of sex on automotive buying behavior should be analyzed. The automotive market is traditionally conceived as male consumers oriented market. But the proportion of female consumers has grown over the years in the automotive market. It is natural outcome that Volvo and Hyundai motors recently developed new cars which are targeted for women market. Secondly, the model used in this research can be applied easier than that of previous researches. Exploratory approach has many advantages except difficulty to apply for practice, because it tends to accompany with complicated model and to require various types of data. The data needed for the model in this research are a few items such as purchased brands, consideration set, some benefits, and some demographic factors and easy to collect from consumers.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.137-146
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• 1996

There has been no general agreement about optimal time for nerve surgery in the closed brachial plexus injury(BPI). From our early experiences, we knew by chance that spontaneous recovery in BPI patients may begin even later than 8 months after injury. Authors' strategy, which was based on our early experiences, for the treatment of closed fresh injury was 'wait and see' unlit 8 months after injury. From 1985 to 1994, we observed 103 patients with BPI. All of them did not have any operation until 8 months after injury. There were 95 men and 8 women with a mean age of 29 years. Motorcycle injury(31%) and vehicle accident(28%) were main causes of injury. Whole plexus types were observed in 56 patients(54%), upper plexus types in 29(28%), lower plexus types in 3(3%), and infraclavicular types in 15(15%). Electromyography was performed in all patients. This was repeated every three months to detect the recovery. Results were evaluated by authors' criteria, in which AMA system of brachial plexus impairment was modified. Duration of follow up was average 25 months. 47 patients(46%) showed spontaneous improvement, which was initially detected at average 7.8 months(range,3 months-16 months) after trauma by electromyography. The average score of these 47 patients improved from 14.8 points to 39.8 points.31 patients(30%) had nerve surgery such as nerve graft, neurotization or neurolysis. Average duration from injury to nerve surgery, was 10 months. Among 31 patients who had nerve surgery, 16 patients improved from preoperative 21.5 points to postoperative 36.3 points in average. Because spontaneous recovery began in average 7.8 months after injury, we think that it would be better to 'wait and see' for at least one year in patients with closed BPI expecting spontaneous recovery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제39권8호
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• pp.579-587
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• 2006

Background: Preoperative risk analysis for Fontan candidates is still less than optimal in that patients with apparently low risks may have poor surgical outcome; prolonged pleural drainage, protein losing enteropathy, pulmonary thromboembolism and death. We hypothesized that low pulmonary vascular compliance (PVC) is a risk factor for prolonged pleural effusion drainage after the Fontan operation. Material and Method: A retrospective review of 96 consecutive patients who underwent the Extracardiac Fontan procedures (median age: 3.9 years) was performed. Fontan risk score (FRS) was calculated from 12 categorized preoperative anatomic and physiologic variables. PVC $(mm^2/m^2{\cdot}mmHg)$ was defined as pulmonary artery index $(mm^2/m^2)$ divided by total pulmonary resistance $(W.U{\cdot}/m^2)$ and pulmonary blood flow $(L/min/m^2)$ based on the electrical circuit analogue of the pulmonary circulation. Chest tube indwelling time was log-transformed (log indwelling time, LIT) to fit normal distribution, and the relationship between preoperative predictors and LIT was analyzed by multiple linear regression. Result: Preoperative PVC, chest tube indwelling time and LIT ranged from 6 to 94.8 $mm^2/mmHg/m^2$ (median: 24.8), 3 to 268 days (median: 20 days), and 1.1 to 5.6 (mean: 2.9, standard deviation: 0.8), respectively. FRS, PVC, cardiopulmonary bypass time (CPB) and central venous pressure at postoperative 12 hours were correlated with LIT by univariable analyses. By multiple linear regression, PVC (p=0.0018) and CPB (p=0.0024) independently predicted LIT, explaining 21.7% of the variation. The regression equation was LIT=2.74-0.0158 PVC+0.00658 CPB. Conclusion: Low pulmonary vascular compliance is an important risk factor for prolonged pleural effusion drainage after the extracardiac Fontan procedure.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2013

This study was conducted to compare the local climate conditions and growth periods for the apple (Malus domestica 'Borkh') orchards at different altitudes (330, 500, and 670 m) in Jangsu-Gun, Korea. Observation data for the growth period show that the monthly mean air temperatures at the 'Hongro' apple orchard sites decrease with height at the rate of 1.0 to $3.0^{\circ}C$/100 m. The monthly minimum temperatures in April (blooming period for 'Hongro' apple) were 4.3, 2.9, and $0.4^{\circ}C$ at 330, 500, and 670 m, respectively. The monthly mean temperatures in September (i.e., the coloration and maturation period) were 20.6, 18.7, and $14.5^{\circ}C$, respectively. The annual precipitation range varied from 1,234 to 1,439 mm, which tended to increase with height. The heavy rainfall occurred in summer (June to August) and amounted to 827-933 mm. No significant differences in the duration of sunshine were observed amongst the orchards at three different altitudes. The earliest bud break was observed at the 330 m altitude (18 March 2009), which was 4 and 11 days earlier in comparison to those at 500 and 670 m, respectively. The time of full bloom at 330 m was 12 days ahead of that at 670 m. The optimal maturation of fruit (based on skin redness > 80%) was observed between 7 and 10 September at 330 m, 15 and 18 September at 500 m, and 21 and 23 September at 670 m.

• Journal of KIISE:Computer Systems and Theory
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.242-255
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• 2006

In the recent years, Popularization of mobile devices such as Smart Phones, PDAs and MP3 Players causes rapid increasing necessity of Power management technology because it is most essential factor of mobile devices. On the other hand, despite low price, hard disk has large capacity and high speed. Even it can be made small enough today, too. So it appropriates mobile devices. but it consumes too much power to embed In mobile devices. Due to these motivations, in this paper we had suggested methods of minimizing Power consumption while playing multimedia data in the disk media for real-time and we evaluated what we had suggested. Strict limitation of power consumption of mobile devices has a big impact on designing both hardware and software. One difference between real-time multimedia streaming data and legacy text based data is requirement about continuity of data supply. This fact is why disk drive must persist in active state for the entire playback duration, from power management point of view; it nay be a great burden. A legacy power management function of mobile disk drive affects quality of multimedia playback negatively because of excessive I/O requests when the disk is in standby state. Therefore, in this paper, we analyze power consumption profile of disk drive in detail, and we develop the algorithm which can play multimedia data effectively using less power. This algorithm calculates number of data block to be read and time duration of active/standby state. From this, the algorithm suggested in this paper does optimal scheduling that is ensuring continual playback of data blocks stored in mobile disk drive. And we implement our algorithms in publicly available MPEG player software. This MPEG player software saves up to 60% of power consumption as compared with full-time active stated disk drive, and 38% of power consumption by comparison with disk drive controlled by native power management method.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.190-201
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• 1980

This experiment was designed to optimize the process of manufacturing the soybean cheeses and to elucidate the chemical changes during ripening when the chemical changes during ripening when the milk components and enzyme preparations were added to the raw materials. Conditions for extracting soybean protein such as temperature, duration and amount of water added were determined; various coagulaters were compared by checking the curd texture and yield; starters from S. thermophilus, S. lactis MLB and S. cremoris EB-9 were tested as single- or multi-stain combinations; and the effects of skim milk and/or rennins-both microbial and calf origin-addition upon the process of manufacturing and ripening were studied. The results obtained were as follows. 1. optimal conditions for soybean extraction were found to be: temperature $100^{\circ}C$, duration 10 minutes, and amount of water added 9-fold, as considered the extraction rate of solids and proteins, and curd yield. 2. Sodium gluconate was the most effective among the coagulators tested, and 5% of single-strain starter from S. thermophilus was appered to be adequate inoculum for curd formation. 3. The effects of skim milk and/or rennins addition on the process of manufacturing and ripening of soybean cheeses were: 1) The addition of rennins resulted in fast formation of curd, especially with skim milk it was so. And Hansen rennet extracts brought better results in curd formation than Meito rennet extracts did. 2) No significant effect was observed on the changes in moisture content during ripening, however the levels of moisture contents in the products were higher in case of using Meito rennet extracts. 3) Effect on pH changes during ripening was also not significant in general, while levels of pH were decrease markedly during manufacturing and the initial stage of ripening. 4) The levels of bacterial counts were much higher in case of skim milk addition throughtout the ripening period. In general the numbers were reached to approximately $10^8cells/g$ during manufacturing, then decreased gradually to below $10^2cells/g$ in 8 weeks of ripening. 5) The addition of skim milk and/or rennin resulted in higher ripening index, and skim milk plus Meito rennet extracts was appeared to be best combination for the ripening index.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.11-20
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• 2008

This study was designed to test the effects of comprehensive rehabilitation management on functional recovery after attack of cerebrovascular disease. 16 cerebrovascular disease patients applied comprehensive rehabilitation management of physical therapy at department of physical Therapy, C medical center in Gwang－ju. The collection of the data had been executed for 4months(April 15, 2007${\sim}$July 15, 2007). For evaluating, Functional Independence measure(FIM) and Somatosensory Evoked Potential(SSEP) were used to assess functional recovery. The results of this study were as follows: 1. In the comparison of latency of median nerve SSEP before and after treatment, the lat. N20 and P25 increased, the ampl. P25/N20 was decreased. In the comparison difference data of median nerve SSEP, however there was no significant difference in the group(p>0.05). 2. In the comparison of latency of Post Tibial nerve SSEP before and after treatment, the lat. P40, P50, P60 increased, the ampl. P40 was decreased. In the comparison difference data of post tibial nerve SSEP, however there was no significant difference in the group(p>0.05). 3. In the comparison of FIM scores of Self－care, Sphincter Control, Mobility: Transfer, Locomotion before and after treatment, the scores of FIM was significantly increased. In the comparison of difference of the motor part of FIM, however there was significant difference(p<0.05). 4. In the comparison of FIM scores of Communication, Social Cognition before and after treatment, the scores of FIM was significantly increased. In the comparison of difference of the motor part of FIM, however there was no significant difference in the group(p>0.05). Based on these results, it is concluded that the comprehensive rehabilitation management for cerebrovascular disease case was not significant difference in the SSEP, was significant difference in the motor part of FIM. Further study should be done to analyze the effect of intervention duration of treatment, optimal time to apply the treatment in more long period.